NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 10: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 10, 2021 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Nets 120-116. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Ranking the top 50 NBA players of the 2021-2022 season: 40-31
NBA (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
We are back this week with the next installment of the top 50 NBA players, profiling players 40 through 31. The first 10 players can be found here.
The second set of the top 50 NBA players is here, inching closer to those on the borderline of All-Star status. This week we look at 40 through 31.
Let’s get started.
Top 50 NBA players: 40. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Previous Rank: NA
One of the most fun storylines of the season was watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander blossom from being the third guard behind Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder to a borderline All-Star over the matter of one offseason. The fact that a young player was shut down in the midst of the tank to preserve his team’s chances of getting a top pick is telling. Gilgeous-Alexander is on the path of greatness.
Over the 35 games he appeared in the third-year guard averaged 23.7 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 assists per game. He exploded as a shooter, shooting 41.8 percent from distance on 4.9 attempts per game. This type of growth has turned the rebuilding situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder rebuild on its head. No longer are they hoping to land their first All-Star with a top lottery pick. That star is already in place.
The next step for Gilgeous-Alexander is maintaining the growth from a year ago over a full season. Doing that over a 35 games sample is impressive in and of itself but for the Thunder to build the foundational young core they are dreaming of he will need to be that player for more than 70 games a year on a nightly basis. The standard he has set for himself is high, but he is capable of exceeding it.
can be found here</a>.</p>
<h2>The second set of the top 50 NBA players is here, inching closer to those on the borderline of All-Star status. This week we look at 40 through 31.</h2>
<p>Let’s get started.</p>
<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 40. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: NA</em></p>
<p>One of the most fun storylines of the season was watching <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> blossom from being the third guard behind Chris Paul and Dennis Schroder to a borderline All-Star over the matter of one offseason. The fact that a young player was shut down in the midst of the tank to preserve his team’s chances of getting a top pick is telling. Gilgeous-Alexander is on the path of greatness.</p>
<p>Over the 35 games he appeared in the third-year guard averaged 23.7 points, 5.9 assists and 4.7 assists per game. He exploded as a shooter, shooting 41.8 percent from distance on 4.9 attempts per game. This type of growth has turned the rebuilding situation with the Oklahoma City Thunder rebuild on its head. No longer are they hoping to land their first All-Star with a top lottery pick. That star is already in place.</p>
<p>The next step for Gilgeous-Alexander is maintaining the growth from a year ago over a full season. Doing that over a 35 games sample is impressive in and of itself but for the Thunder to build the foundational young core they are dreaming of he will need to be that player for more than 70 games a year on a nightly basis. The standard he has set for himself is high, but he is capable of exceeding it.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 39 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-435305" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1307422666.jpeg" alt="Pistons" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1307422666.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1307422666-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 39. Jerami Grant</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: NA</em></p>
<p>Another major leaper from a season ago, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grantje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jerami Grant</a> was considered one of the more mystifying free agency choices from a season ago. Fans were confused what the Detroit Pistons saw in him that seemingly the rest of the league did not see. After a borderline All-Star season, the vision is much clearer.</p>
<p>Grant decided to bet on himself, knowing that he could provide more than he had in stops with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. In his first season as a primary option Grant averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. More importantly, he (along with head coach Dwane Casey and new General Manager Troy Weaver) reset the culture for a franchise in desperate need of that.</p>
<p>The path forward for Grant and the Pistons is not a simple one. They are likely to still be among the worst teams in the league this year. Grant’s counting stats are likely to dip with the incorporation number one overall pick Cade Cunningham. But he has helped change the feel around the team in a tangible way. When combining a change of culture with the stat line of a star, Grant’s place on this list was a certainty.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 38 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-359781" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1155800281-1.jpeg" alt="Golden State Warriors" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155800281-1.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1155800281-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 38. Klay Thompson</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: NA</em></p>
<p>Figuring out where to place <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompkl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Klay Thompson</a> was not easy task. He is coming back at some point this season after missing the last two with injuries to his ACL and Achilles. There is no definitive time when he will actually be back on the court and even when he is, who knows what his body will be able to handle. So why is he so high on the list?</p>
<p>When Thompson is on the court he is a no-doubt All-Star. While the injuries he experienced are physically devastating, much of what makes him special on the offensive end of the floor is not dependent on explosive athleticism. He is on a streak of five straight seasons averaging at least 20 points per game, has never shot under 40 percent from 3-point range and never less than six attempts per game since moving into the full-time starting lineup.</p>
<p>Kevin Durant showed a season ago that a player of that type can come back and keep the same offensive flow. While Durant tends to be the exception to most rules, there is reason to believe that Thompson could pull off a similar return. With the teammates around him to best accentuate his skills this placement felt like an appropriate hedge.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 37 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-429712" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1320430378.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320430378.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1320430378-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 37. Ja Morant</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: 43</em></p>
<p>Slowly but surely, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/moranja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ja Morant</a> is climbing up the list. In just his second season in the league he helped push the Memphis Grizzlies back into the postseason and showed out on the biggest stage. In the five-game series against the top-seeded Utah Jazz, Morant averaged a stellar 30.2 points, 8.2 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game. He dropped 47 points on the third best defensive unit in the league.</p>
<p>There is still plenty of room for Morant to grow. He needs to incorporate the long ball into his game (30.3 percent on 3.8 attempts per game last season) to keep defenses honest. On the defensive end he can do more to help out his teammates. But overall, Morant is a star in the making and will make the Grizzlies a perennial contender for a postseason berth.</p>
<p>There is a real chance this ranking looks far too low a year from now. Morant is one of the leading candidates for the Most Improved Player award considering his work ethic and the show he put on in the postseason. As the team around him grows there is greater opportunity for his skills to be put to their best use. Morant truly wants to be great and he is increasingly close to that platitude.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 36 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-428269" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1316716932-1.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316716932-1.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316716932-1-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 36. Pascal Siakam</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: 27</em></p>
<p>Essentially nothing went right for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/siakapa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Pascal Siakam</a> a season ago. The Toronto Raptors spent the entire season far from home, stranded in Tampa and missing the postseason for the first time since 2013. Siakam missed out on a consecutive All-Star appearance and had multiple notable spats with head coach Nick Nurse, eventually leading to a suspension. Then, following the season, Siakam required surgery on a torn labrum.</p>
<p>Negativity aside, Siakam is primed to bounce back once he is back on the court. It is hard to overstate how important actually being at home is, and it was well-chronicled that Siakam suffered mentally from the isolation and separation that he experienced dating back to the bubble. While his numbers were down last season they were still quite respectable: 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists (career high) and 1.1 steals (career high) per game. If his 3-point shooting can recover (dipped from 35.9 percent in 2020 to 29.7 in 2021) that would certainly be a plus.</p>
<p>Most importantly, this is Pascal Siakam’s team now. Kyle Lowry was traded in the offseason, replaced with Goran Dragic and Precious Achiuwa. The team drafted Scottie Barnes with the fourth overall pick. Siakam is the leader (along with Fred VanVleet) and should be the best player on the team this year as they attempt to return the playoffs.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 35 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-432670" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1318476452.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1318476452.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1318476452-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 35. Nikola Vucevic</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: 40</em></p>
<p>Fresh off his second career All-Star appearance, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Vucevic</a> is entering a season with expectations for the first time. The Chicago Bulls of 2021-2022 are the most talented team the Swiss center has ever played on. With the infusion of talent comes the goal of making the postseason and potentially making some noise once they get there.</p>
<p>Vucevic was one of the few bright spots for the Orlando Magic before his tenure with the team came to an end. Before being traded he was averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.0 steals per game. In the 26 games after the trade the team as plagued by injuries but this season will be about a fresh start and a chance to capitalize on the talent that is Zach LaVine.</p>
<p>This will be Vucevic’s chance to make consecutive All-Star appearances. The infusion of playmaking on the roster will benefit Vucevic and LaVine and should make for a powerful offensive attack. For far too long Vucevic has been one of the more forgotten stars of the league because he has put up solid offensive numbers on a team that was easily forgotten. This season for the Bulls, there will be no chance of forgetting the Swiss superman.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 34 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-436010" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1329482329.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1329482329.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1329482329-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 34. Deandre Ayton</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: 46</em></p>
<p>For the first two seasons of his career, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Deandre Ayton</a> was never truly discussed as the player he was on the court. Rather, he was only mentioned for people to say that he was not fellow draftees of 2018 Luka Doncic or Trae Young. Last season, finally the focus is being put on Ayton’s play as he excelled in his role for one of the best stories of the season. Ayton was the back-end anchor for the Phoenix Suns and helped push them all the way to the NBA Finals.</p>
<p>If you look at the simple box score stats, you may be misled to believe Ayton took a step back last season. He averaged a career low in points (14.4) while also seeing his rebounding (10.5) and blocks (1.2) per game dip. However, this was more of a function of picking his spots on a roster that featured more talent than the year before. Ayton became a much more efficient player, posting a career high effective field goal percentage of 62.9 percent.</p>
<p>For an idea of just how good he can be, look no further than his run through the playoffs. He had seven games where he grabbed 15 or more rebounds. In his first game in the finals, he posted a monstrous line of 22 points and 19 rebounds. There is a star here. We are just starting to get a taste of how imposing he can truly be.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 33 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-436011" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2130,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1316147268.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2130" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316147268.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1316147268-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 33. Domantas Sabonis</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: 34</em></p>
<p>This feels like something of a make it or break year for the Indiana Pacers, and by extension, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sabondo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Domantas Sabonis</a>. Sabonis is becoming a star in this league, making consecutive All-Star appearances. Despite the disaster that was the Pacers 2020-2021 season, Sabonis averaged a solid 20.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game. Now, with a former championship head coach manning the helm, Sabonis and the Pacers are expecting to make a jump back up the standings.</p>
<p>Sabonis may be the best passer on his team, creating so many opportunities for his teammates. He is the rare big man that you can make the hub of the offense and he will actually be able to put you in a winning situation. If there is any coach who can maximize his talents it will be Rick Carlisle, who has helped construct some of the better offenses in recent seasons.</p>
<p>For Sabonis, it is time to push this team back into competing for home court in the first round of the playoffs. The players on the team have individually gotten better but it is time for them to gel as a team. As the leader on the court that falls on the shoulders of the big man entering his sixth season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 32 </a>
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<img class="size-full wp-image-436012" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1318954593.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1318954593.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1318954593-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 32. Draymond Green</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: NA</em></p>
<p>After a somewhat lost season that saw the Golden State Warriors end up with one of the top picks in the draft, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greendr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Draymond Green</a> came back and reminded everyone why he deserves all of the respect. While Stephen Curry was the league leader in scoring, Green’s passing helped the rest of the offense run and pushed the Warriors to the brink of returning to the postseason.</p>
<p>The counting numbers for Green are never going to tell the full story and yet his stat line is rather impressive: 7.0 points, 8.9 assists (tied for fourth in the league), 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals (tied for fourth in the league) per game. He is still an elite defensive presence, and he has long been the leader for the Warriors from an emotional perspective.</p>
<p>This year marks the start of something of a new era of Golden State basketball. Klay Thompson is returning to form the older big three for the team, meant to complement the young core of James Wiseman, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and Jordan Poole. If this experiment of bridging the two generations is destined to work much of the burden will fall on Green. He will need to mentor the youth, balance the chemistry and make plays happen for everyone. If he is able to play like he did last season, the playoffs will certainly be in the team’s near future.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> No. 31 </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NBA (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Top 50 NBA players: 31. Mike Conley</h2>
<p><em>Previous Rank: NA</em></p>
<p>Long considered the best player to never make an All-Star Game, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/conlemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mike Conley</a> got the recognition he deserved. Albeit as an injury replacement, Conley was a first-time All-Star and one of the driving forces on the best regular-season team from a season ago. He posted a line of 16.2 points, 6.0 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game. For the Utah Jazz to continue their standing at the top of the league with a chance to win the title, Conley will have to continue this level of play.</p>
<p>Even beyond the counting stats, Conley ranked among the best defensive players in terms of defensive rating a season ago, anchoring the front of the defense while Rudy Gobert held down the paint. He lightened the creation load on Donovan Mitchell and allowed him to be his best self, a go-to offensive force. Conley brought veteran leadership and savvy to the team until his season was sidelined by injuries.</p>
<p>Many love to blame Gobert for the eventual demise of the Jazz season, but just as much if not more can be credited to the limited availability of Conley and Mitchell. The trifecta makes the Jazz a title contender so if he is able to be healthy in the postseason this season it may finally be the Jazz’s turn.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="5 NBA teams in desperate need of a hot start" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/26/nba-5-teams-desperate-hot-start/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/28/ranking-top-50-nba-players-40-31-2/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/09/26/nba-5-teams-desperate-hot-start/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 5 NBA teams in desperate need of a hot start </a> </div>
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